Review: Varisu (***)
Vamshi Paidipally cleverly puts one of Vijay’s strengths — his impeccable timing when it comes to comedy — to good use in this film
Film: Varisu
Director: Vamshi Paidipally
Cast: Vijay, Rashmika Mandanna, Sarathkumar, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shaam, Jayasudha, Ganesh Venkatram, Yogi Babu among others
Music: Thaman
Cinematography:Karthik Palani
Rating: 3 stars
Director Vamshi Paidipally’s ‘Varisu’ is a reasonably good family entertainer that works primarily because of the light-hearted manner in which the story is narrated.
True, this is a film that is big on family sentiment but then, it is not a tearjerker.
Vamshi Paidipally cleverly puts one of Vijay’s strengths — his impeccable timing when it comes to comedy — to good use in this film.
As a result, even difficult scenes that could kind of be heavy in an entertainer are made light-hearted and funny.
Take for instance, a scene in the film in which Vijay and his eldest brother Srikanth look to make their other brother Shaam see sense and return home as the prodigal son. Vijay’s dialogues are not emotional or intense but light-hearted and funny.
This does not mean there are no serious scenes. There are. However, they are few and far in between and the audience hardly feel their impact.
Synopsis:
The story revolves around Rajendran, a tycoon who is number one in the business of mining. Rajendran has three sons — Jai (Srikanth) , Ajay(Shaam) and Vijay (Vijay).
While Jai and Ajay secretly harbour a desire to someday succeed their father and head his business empire, Vijay has no such plans.
On the other hand, Vijay intends to start a business of his own — one that will be beneficial to all the stakeholders involved in it.
When Rajendran announces a competition between his sons to decide his successor, Vijay refuses to be a part of the contest and thereby incurs the wrath of his father, who expels him from their home.
Seven years pass by and a great many things change. Rajendran discovers that he is suffering from pancreatic cancer and that he has very little time left. It is at this point that he begins to realise that his arch rival, Jeyaprakash (Prakash Raj), is now pitting his own sons against him.
Just when he thinks that everything is lost, the son he kicked out of his home returns to sort out his problems…
Vijay looks convincing for the most part. Especially, in comedy sequences, he combines well with Yogi Babu to score handsomely.
The man can also dance like a dream and the number ‘Ranjithame’ is testimony to this fact. The only place he is found lacking is in the serious sequences. For some reason, his expressions in some of these scenes look artificial and forced.
Rashmika Mandanna has very little to do in the film apart from inciting her sister Sangeetha to rebel against her cheating husband. But she looks ravishing in the dance numbers and matches Vijay move for move on the dance floor.
Yogi Babu is just on fire in this film. The timing of his jokes is perfect and all his combination scenes with Vijay work like magic, having the desired impact on the audience.
Ganesh Venkatram plays his role as a blackmailing investor to perfection. The handsome and charming actor shows that he can play characters with negative shades with equal ease and comfort.
Actors Shaam and Srikanth too deliver commendable performances.
Thaman’s music is fantastic and plays a big part in ensuring that the film works.
Karthik Palani’s visuals are a treat to watch but half the credit for such brilliant visuals must also go to the art director and the costume designers who deserve to be complimented for their outstanding work in the film.
In all, ‘Varisu’ might look artificial and forced in some parts but by and large is an entertainer that works. Moreover, it tells the story of the bond between a son and his parents and tries to put across the point that a family, no matter its shortcomings, is still a human’s biggest asset.
